Both grass courts and grassroots need promotion in India: Tim Henman
Kolkata, Jan 18: Former English ace Tim Henman Sunday said grassroot initiatives like the Kolkata-leg of the 'Road To Wimbledon' need to be promoted so that grass-court tennis does not cease to exist.
"Both grass courts and grassroots should be developed in India. The courts here are great to play on and well maintained and it gives budding talents scope to enhance their skills on grass... but then you have to play well in all courts to be a better player," said Henman here.
The 40-year-old believes that if a player does the basics right and knows the fundamentals well enough, then that person will surely do well.
When quizzed about the difference between Indian and European tennis, Henman said it was the latter's physicality that made the difference.
"Here the player's rely mainly on hand skills and play a lot of natural game. But they have to work on their physicality, travel abroad and play in overseas tournaments. Only then can Indians match their European counterparts," said the former World No.4.
The four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist added that India may have done well over the years in the doubles but it should look to producing "top class singles players".
Meanwhile, Shashanik Thertha and Prinkle Shah clinched the boys' and girls' singles titles, respectively, in the regional round. The top-16 will be invited to the 'Road To Wimbledon' Junior Masters in New Delhi from where two boys and two girls will be selected for the finals at Wimbledon in August.